CAIRO: Amidst intense Israeli bombardment in the war-torn Gaza Strip, Egypt has declined to permit the safe passage of refugees from Gaza through the Rafah border, the only exit point from the region.
Egyptian security officials have acknowledged engaging in ongoing negotiations with various parties, including the United States, to discuss plans for providing humanitarian aid to Gaza through the Rafah border. Presently, people seeking refuge are not allowed to enter Egypt from Gaza.
The closure of the Rafah border poses a significant challenge for the people of Gaza, trapped in a dire humanitarian crisis. Israeli airstrikes, escalating in response to attacks by Hamas, have led to a deluge of thousands of tons of explosives on the besieged territory.
Furthermore, Israel has cut off essential utilities such as electricity, water, and fuel supplies to Gaza, exacerbating the already devastating consequences. The toll of these actions includes over a thousand fatalities and hundreds of injuries, with a tragically substantial number of casualties being children, highlighting the extent of the humanitarian tragedy unfolding in Gaza.
Israel’s military campaign has broadened its targets to include not only military installations but also residential buildings, mosques, shops, factories, and even ambulances. This has left residents in a perpetual state of fear and uncertainty.
The utilization of phosphorus bombs in Gaza by the Israeli military has raised international concern, supported by evidence presented by the Palestinian government.
